Hexavier
Legacy Name: Hexavier

The room is custom fit for the comfort of a very large animal. A sturdy table is dwarfed by a massive bookcase to your left, and a bed is almost hidden in the far left corner.A large eastern dragon statue with blue jewel eyes crouches in the center of the room, cold gaze seeming to track your every move. To the right and back of the room is another bookcase next to a fireplace. A massive couch sits next to two tables, which have been pushed together to support a pile of books. Closer to the right is a long therapy couch and yet another table covered with books. This creature seems to enjoy reading, though the sheer size of everything makes you nervous. You are just wondering whether you should back out and come back never when a deep male baritone voice rumbles at you from the hallway at your back.
``You are early. Either that or I am late. Either way, you might as well make yourself comfortable.`` The voice has a nifty British accent, but that doesn't provide you with any comfort as you spin around and find yourself eye to eye with a large Experiment #8001.
Taking his advice, you take a seat in the only chair designed for humans while he lounges comfortably on the dark blue therapy couch. It's probably best to just get this interview over with as soon as possible. You get the distinct feeling that you're being hunted.
``I noticed that you seem to be an avid reader. Is there something in particular you are researching?``
His mouth twitches in a slight smile. ``Whatever happens to catch my interest really, which is a wide variety of subjects. Most of the time I enjoy hunting in a nearby forest, but books are pleasant for winding down in the evenings.``
``Err, hunting?`` you ask nervously.
``Why yes,`` the smile stretches wider, revealing a LOT of teeth, ``The list of missing persons is growing quite large suddenly.``
You swallow hard, suddenly remembering seeing the reports in the news. Criminals, every last one. Missing. Gone save for a splash of blood on the leaves. You shudder. How can anyone feel safe with a fellow like this?
Tamping down on your fear, you say; ``I see.`` Catching sight of a couple of paintings of natural scenes, you ask, ``So... other than hunting... you like natural settings?``
``Very much,`` His cold gaze grows slightly wistful, ``There's something calming about stretching out in the warm sunshine, surrounded by the silence of the forest. It's quite a contrast to the noise of the city.`` He grimaces.
``Not a fan of technology?`` you ask, somewhat sympathetic.
``Not when it drowns out the sounds of birds and the rustle of the wind in the trees.`` He flicks his heavy tail.
``Forgive me, but, why choose a bedroom in the basement if you love the sounds of nature?`` You gesture to the stone walls, none of which have a window.
He snorts, a sound like a small tree cracking in half. ``Haven't you noticed? This house is in the suburbs. Every morning a neighbor on the street is mowing their lawn or kids are yelling and screaming and running about. There's an idiot who hoards small, yappy minions. Those little buggers bark day or night for absolutely no reason at all. It's quieter down here, and I have less of an inclination to start eating people when I can get away from it all.``
You flinch, wishing that the conversation had stayed away from this subject. Maybe it's better to wrap this up. ``So, erm, what foods do you like? That you don't have to hunt, I mean,`` yoiu add hastily.
His rumbling chuckle makes your bones vibrate. ``Fresh fruit. Juicy and sweet is best of course.``
Thanking him politely you make your way out the door, relieved to have gotten away.

A crack. The snap of a twig. He's behind you. That wasn't an accident. He is telling you he's behind you. He wants you to know you're being followed. Hunted. Don't look. Keep moving.

A sound, Sniffing. He's got your scent. A rumble. a growl, from deep within a chest. You could swear you feel hot breath on your back through your shirt, but he can't be that close. Only your imagination. If he was that close he would have caught you. Don't look. Keep moving.

You are so focused on the beast behind you that you never expect a human voice to bark out from in front of you.

"Hands up! Give me your money! Now!" A human, a thug. a robber. He's got a knife to your throat, eyes merciless. You stifle a whimper and reach slowly for your purse. This is not the place to stop. He'll catch up.

"Hurry up!" the robber snarls, pressing the knife so hard that you can feel a trickle of your blood trailing down your neck where the blade pricked your skin.

If he had robbed you in the city. If he hadn't been so focused on you. If his blade had been pointed at the real threat. If, if if. "If" doesn't help him. There is little warning. No thud of feet, no snarl, not even the sound of leaves being stirred up.

A faint thud, and the robber jerks; his mouth falling open, but no sound comes out. His knife falls from fingers gone slack. He meets your eyes for only a second; only long enough to show that the pain hasn't hit yet, he's still stunned. Then he is wrenched back, hard and fast. You don't see what has him. You don't know where he goes except off into the surrounding darkness.

Your face feels wet. Your white shirt is stained with something dark. You don't wait. Terror galvanizes you and you bolt along the path, breath coming in deep, desperate pants. You wait for it. Any second now you'll feel the impact, watch your blood spray the leaves. Don't look back! Keep running!

You break out of the forest and stagger to a stop, stunned to realize you're still alive. Finally you turn. Finally you look behind you. A night bird calls and something scurries past in the underbrush. Blue eyes stare out at you.

Icy blue eyes, perfectly bisected by obsidian needles. A predator's eyes. He is watching you. Tracking you. But he doesn't pursue you. For now, you are safe. He didn't want you. Not really.

The shadows shift and for just a second, you see him. A massive ground dragon. No wings. Sharp deadly teeth. Paws bigger than dinner plates, sporting thick, powerful toes. Claws as long as a finger dig into the ground. He smiles, gleaming white teeth stained with something dark. A chuckle, deep in a male's baritone. He slowly turns away from you and vanishes into the forest.

An investigation is done, but nothing conclusive can be made. A criminal is missing, a rap sheet longer than you are tall lists his crimes. There is enough blood to assume the he is dead. But there is no body. Not even a button is found. Forensics clears you of any wrongdoing. Maybe some day you'll go back to thank him for saving your life. Then again, maybe not. Every time you close your eyes, those terrible blue eyes stare back. No, perhaps it's better to forget it and go on with your life. One thing is for sure though, never again will you use the forest at night as a shortcut.

``Well, well, well. Look who`s nosing about. Curious about me are you? Well look as close as you like. I`m sure you`ll find plenty to feed your curiosity. Eh heh heh heh. So... you`ve never gotten close to someone like me eh? Probably true. We Experiments usually don`t take kindly to gawkers, and even less to large crowds. Have a look around if you wish, but I advise you not to touch. Everyone here has teeth... and we use them...``